Influence of different planting methods on growth, productivity and root characteristics of BT cotton in south-west Punjab

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2016-17 and 2017-18, at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bathinda, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana to study the growth, productivity and quality and root characteristics of Bt Cotton under different planting methods viz. T1: Cotton sowing drill (Three tynes), T2: Cotton sowing drill (Four tynes), T3: Ridge sowing and T4: Bed maker Bt sowing machine. The results concluded that bed maker Bt sowing machine treatment showed significantly higher plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of monopodial branches/plant, number of sympodial branches/plant, number of bolls/plant and average boll weight over cotton sowing drill (Three tynes) and cotton sowing drill (Four tynes) and it was at par with ridge sowing. Bed maker Bt sowing machine treatment gave significantly higher cotton yield (12.3%) over cotton sowing drill (Three tynes) but it was statistically similar with ridge sowing. Maximum ginning out turn (GOT), seed index and lint index was noticed in bed maker Bt sowing machine treatment.